Florida's First Choice for Autism Support

Posts tagged ‘technology’

In today’s world, I try my best to not be cynical; to maintain a positive outlook on life despite all the divisiveness that’s going on in our society. However, even in my best moments I can’t deny the volatility that exists in certain places, and nowhere is this more apparent than the internet. In particular, online forums like Reddit or micro-blogging sites like twitter. Now obviously everyone is free to say and do whatever they’d like online. In the overwhelming majority of cases you’re not in any physical danger, but I do have some suggestions on how to make your time on the internet as enjoyable and non-confrontational as possible. I do this because many people on the autism spectrum are naïve. Mind you, this is not a knock on anyone, as I would certainly include myself in that category.

Allow me to get this one out of the way as soon as possible: unless you’re going into political science in college or something similar, try to stay away from political discussions. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t stay informed; in fact, I encourage everyone (autism or not) to keep up with current events. Just make sure to check as many sources as you can to avoid false information. No, what I’m talking about are the comment sections. Chances are, you go to the comment sections of any political post on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc. and you’re going to encounter a firestorm of negativity and vile. If you value your sanity and self-worth as an individual, keep your distance.

Repeat after me: anonymity is key. Again, in writing these blogs, my hope is for them to be of use for at least a few people. This is a mistake I know many with autism make, and it is so important to remember. Do not give out your real identity or personal information to anyone ever. Predators know how innocent people on the spectrum can be, and they’ll use that to their advantage, either to scam you or have some mean-spirited fun. Besides the obvious financial issues that arise, this can lead to a plethora of nightmarish scenarios such as doxing or swatting. It’s harrowing to read about some of these occurrences, and it can be a mentally scarring experience, so please tread carefully and protect your privacy.

Unless you’re talking with a trusted source, or if it pertains to your health, try not to disclose your ASD to strangers online. Having autism, unfortunately, has become somewhat of a stigma in certain corners of the internet. Being forward and upfront about your diagnosis just invites cyber bullying and other cruel treatment. On the flip side, don’t try to use your ASD as a catch-all for avoiding any criticism. For better or worse, when you post something online, it is truly there forever, and is open for scrutiny. The world is never going to stay silent on anything you say or do just because you have autism. In fact, many will see it as a feeble attempt to garner sympathy if you use your condition as an excuse, something I’ve learned the hard way before.

In my previous blog, I wrote about some of the reasons why people on the autism spectrum might be attracted to anime, or Japanese animation. This time around, I would like to talk about something comparable: why video games are so appealing to us. Video games are not as niche of an interest as anime, and they are massively popular among plenty of demographics. However, every single person I’ve ever met with ASD, myself included, has been a huge fan of video games. Why is this? Many of the reasons are similar to those of anime, such as the presence of a wide, accepting community, but there are some unique reasons as well that make video games stand out. I will attempt to explain this appeal with a combination of research, as well as my own personal experiences and anecdotes.

Video games offer a wide variety of different ways to play, and there’s a genre for just about anyone. There’s single player, local co-op and online multiplayer, depending on what you’re looking for. As discussed in this article, video games can provide a level of escapism from the confusing real world, and into one where you, the player, control everything. You have the ultimate authority over what happens, and there’s an element of certainty and security. But security and comfort can’t last forever, and eventually you’ve got to deal with the harsh reality that sometimes things aren’t going to go your way. Video games are highly competitive and can be difficult, and if you play against other players, you’re going to lose. It may be hard to comprehend for people who have never played, but these games are high intensity and can get pretty heated. But if you stick with it, you’ll learn to not be a sore loser and accept defeat, a good lesson to learn for those with autism who always want things to go exactly according to plan.

Those are some of the main reasons that I personally agree with wholeheartedly, but there are other factors as well. One is the development of fine motor skills. It is well known that people on the spectrum often have issues in the development of motor skills (once again, I’m no exception), but video games can certainly help with that. Chief among these skills is hand-eye coordination, which video games teach you. I know that gaming helped me in that regard, as well as practicing typing. I overcame things I couldn’t do naturally through practice, and others can too.

One more important thing I’d like to mention is the element of problem solving. Games present a challenge much like that of a puzzle, where the solution is something you have to figure out on your own. As we’ve discussed before, many individuals with ASD have wonderful amounts of creativity, and can come at problems from unique angles. Video games are a perfect outlet for this, where the solution is always there, but it’s up to the player to figure it out. There is a terrific sense of accomplishment you feel when you overcome a challenge in a game; it instills you with confidence which is often lacking from those with autism, and that confidence can even carry over into real life.

For all their negative press, video games have a lot of draw to them, especially those with autism. And now, we’re discovering that they could even be an effective tool for teaching!

It’s no secret that technology has completely changed the face of society, especially in the boom of the past 20 years or so. We have things like smart phones, tablets, notebooks, smart watches, etc. which have made things so much easier for all of us. But how does this affect those on the autism spectrum? In what ways can we utilize this new amazing technology to improve life for people with autism and their families? It can act as either a learning tool or a great source of entertainment depending on the context.

Perhaps the most prevalent use of technology in regards to people on the spectrum is that of “assistive technology.” The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 describes assistive technology as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, off-the-shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities,” in this case autism. One good example I can think of is an app that one of my mom’s good friends uses with her son called “First-Then Visual Schedule.” Oftentimes visual learning is the primary method for those with autism, and this $10 app helps present a visually stimulating schedule that will help people keep better track of their lives. This is just one example, there are many more out there that do a myriad of different things; here’s a convenient list on parenting.com that features 11 apps including the aforementioned First-Then Visual Schedule.

Technology is not confined to the assistive variety, in fact many use it as a way to stave off boredom. It’s no secret that children with autism particularly love video games, as they talk about here, and with the rise of casual gaming brought about by tablets, there’s a never-ending supply of fun to be had. While tech addiction is a real thing and should be avoided, sometimes as a parent you just need some time to yourself. One of the best ways to keep your children occupied is to get your kid a video game system, or even just an iPad with Candy Crush, Crossy Road or Angry Birds, and they can keep themselves busy for hours at a time. Trust me, I speak from 21+ years of experience.

One interesting thing I would like to highlight is this little gem: Project EVO. It’s a therapeutic tablet game made specifically for kids with autism. Here’s what CBS said about Project EVO: “As they [the kids] go through the game they are supposed to skirt around certain objects while choosing others. The idea is to condition the brain to sift through and organize information in real time, requiring a player to stay focused on the task at hand.” It’s a very interesting concept. The game has not yet been released, but I look forward to tracking its progress.

Holiday and birthday gifts. Ask friends and families to give Apple/iTune gift cards instead of other gifts. Local businesses, community, or charity groups sometimes help with community fundraising by having special events.
Some credit cards give points that can be redeemed for an iPad or cash to purchase an iPad.

What if you could make traveling easier for people with disabilities by inventing a new app or technology-based device? Join this national online dialogue hosted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Accessible Transportation Technologies Research Initiative (ATTRI) and share your ideas about transportation and technology. You can also share travel glitches that could be solved by a new app or device.

The purpose of the online dialogue is to gather input on mobility and transportation technology preferences and needs from transportation riders who have disabilities. By participating in this dialogue, you will assist leaders in the travel/technology field by identifying devices that could assist all transit riders— especially people with mobility, hearing, vision, or intellectual disabilities— to plan, navigate, and use transportation options in their communities, including safely walking around as well as getting from one station to another.

Participating is easy! Just take a moment to register, and then submit an idea, comment on someone else’s idea, or vote on an idea! You’ll see ideas posted by colleagues from across the country and be able to share your thoughts on technologies to help people better access transit. Maybe you will be the one to suggest the next big thing?